Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino
Passion for Italy, Language and Wine
Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino
A day of re-entry
Today was a day of re-entry. I reentered the London School to greet my director and other colleagues. I sat in front of my director with a great feeling that this is really the place I belong. Her cheery disposition gave me the confidence and trust that I will soon have lessons to teach in these coming weeks. Since Italians are now all flocking back to the city center from a month along the beach. I then made my way slowly home on my bike, which I decided the other day, her name is Sole. Sole meaning Sun. 
I made myself a simple dish of pasta and slowly got myself ready to meant with another boss of the gym I worked at last year. I rode my bike slowly to the center where I am making my office from now on. Since it wasn't working for me writing everything at home. I needed to find a space to focus on my thoughts and what I want to express in these articles. At home, I am distracted with household things. Oh I should do laundry, I should clean the bathroom, maybe I need to take a walk. These are the random thoughts that go on in my mind.
Tonight was our first meeting since the summer with my writing group. We changed places where we meet, I love love the space. It is a vegetarian place that is cheap cheap. The energy is open and the people are able to speak more fully, I think. I really enjoy hearing the ideas and experiences from writers, artists, screenwriters. We discussed the idea of if us, as writers, consider ourselves artists.
A great idea to ponder. Am I an artist? Hmmmm.... I feel I am an artist since I do create things out of nothing. I put my passion into each piece I put together. The ideas and points of view are only mine and the fact that I put it on paper is an art form. No one else can re-create my thoughts. On the other hand, I used to think that artists were only painters or sculptors, people that created canvases full of energy and color or drawings with emotions or statues with true human form. Actually when I said the word artist, those kinds of people came to mind. But a writer, never. Now that I am one of these said or actual artists, I feel much more different about my profession. It is a true art form to align the words you feel belong together on that page. You are expressing yourself in the way you only see it, no one else. With the passion and sincerity in each paragraph as you can imagine someone reading it. Such a grand thing! Knowing people actually get something from your thoughts on paper.
Today consisted of many encounters of new and old friends. I met an interesting fellow let's call him Mysterious. We met in July through a mutual friend. We had a powerful meeting. I felt right away that this person had something to offer. He had a strong, warm, welcoming presence. There was power behind his eyes. It shot right through me. I lost myself in his eyes for a bit. Although, I had a feeling that there was something off kilter. I sensed an unbalance. I was right. But this meeting today was full of energy, like before, and his eyes seemed more calm yet still filled with some power, energy that wasn't as strong or forced. More relaxed and less aggressive. Not sure if he is one to spread the power or energy around but he is for sure someone I am intrigued by. There is so much I don't know about him but I do hope things unfold in which I can understand him more.
I was tapped on the shoulder by a friend I haven't seen in months. Not sure when it was last we crossed paths. Let's call him Blue. He and I have known each other since the summer of 2005. We had brief encounters throughout 2007 but nothing really materialized into something concrete. We enjoyed each others' company and we could talk superficially. Today when he approached me, the energy was much much different than years before. He brought a positive vibe to my surroundings. He was generally interested in my life and how I was doing, who I was dating. I said I was dating my work. He wanted to also get my number again since I teach English and some of his colleagues need English for business. I was appreciative. I couldn't believe the shift that happened with him. Before he was constantly complaining about life. And instead of saying pretty good, he said VERY good, when I asked him how he was. A positive shift!
On my way home I stopped to see my dear dear friend, who I know he would do anything for me. Let's call him Romantic. He found love again after a horrible breakup and the love is still thriving even though they both work odd hours. *By the way, I adore her, she is full of energy that really suits him.* I never walk away from him without a smile on my face. Could it be that he let me stay with him for a month or that when I called him crying about something not so tragic he came running? I just know there is nothing that will keep me away from him as a friend. Unless it is going out at midnight and having a beer, I am no night owl anymore.
One thing that was common during this day; SLOWLY. I did everything within a pace that wasn't rushed. I never tried to out bike a bus or pass another biker, or tried to get someplace before someone else. When I arrived I let them know. And the day just flowed. Like each day of my life should. Without a set schedule but with a flowing movement like that of a river. Flowing in and out of cracks and crevices of life.
What a grand day!
a little out of focus in the distance, but up close should always be your main attention. (taken in Rome, April 2008)
a presto amici!!
I made myself a simple dish of pasta and slowly got myself ready to meant with another boss of the gym I worked at last year. I rode my bike slowly to the center where I am making my office from now on. Since it wasn't working for me writing everything at home. I needed to find a space to focus on my thoughts and what I want to express in these articles. At home, I am distracted with household things. Oh I should do laundry, I should clean the bathroom, maybe I need to take a walk. These are the random thoughts that go on in my mind. Tonight was our first meeting since the summer with my writing group. We changed places where we meet, I love love the space. It is a vegetarian place that is cheap cheap. The energy is open and the people are able to speak more fully, I think. I really enjoy hearing the ideas and experiences from writers, artists, screenwriters. We discussed the idea of if us, as writers, consider ourselves artists.
A great idea to ponder. Am I an artist? Hmmmm.... I feel I am an artist since I do create things out of nothing. I put my passion into each piece I put together. The ideas and points of view are only mine and the fact that I put it on paper is an art form. No one else can re-create my thoughts. On the other hand, I used to think that artists were only painters or sculptors, people that created canvases full of energy and color or drawings with emotions or statues with true human form. Actually when I said the word artist, those kinds of people came to mind. But a writer, never. Now that I am one of these said or actual artists, I feel much more different about my profession. It is a true art form to align the words you feel belong together on that page. You are expressing yourself in the way you only see it, no one else. With the passion and sincerity in each paragraph as you can imagine someone reading it. Such a grand thing! Knowing people actually get something from your thoughts on paper.
Today consisted of many encounters of new and old friends. I met an interesting fellow let's call him Mysterious. We met in July through a mutual friend. We had a powerful meeting. I felt right away that this person had something to offer. He had a strong, warm, welcoming presence. There was power behind his eyes. It shot right through me. I lost myself in his eyes for a bit. Although, I had a feeling that there was something off kilter. I sensed an unbalance. I was right. But this meeting today was full of energy, like before, and his eyes seemed more calm yet still filled with some power, energy that wasn't as strong or forced. More relaxed and less aggressive. Not sure if he is one to spread the power or energy around but he is for sure someone I am intrigued by. There is so much I don't know about him but I do hope things unfold in which I can understand him more.
I was tapped on the shoulder by a friend I haven't seen in months. Not sure when it was last we crossed paths. Let's call him Blue. He and I have known each other since the summer of 2005. We had brief encounters throughout 2007 but nothing really materialized into something concrete. We enjoyed each others' company and we could talk superficially. Today when he approached me, the energy was much much different than years before. He brought a positive vibe to my surroundings. He was generally interested in my life and how I was doing, who I was dating. I said I was dating my work.
He wanted to also get my number again since I teach English and some of his colleagues need English for business. I was appreciative. I couldn't believe the shift that happened with him. Before he was constantly complaining about life. And instead of saying pretty good, he said VERY good, when I asked him how he was. A positive shift!On my way home I stopped to see my dear dear friend, who I know he would do anything for me. Let's call him Romantic. He found love again after a horrible breakup and the love is still thriving even though they both work odd hours. *By the way, I adore her, she is full of energy that really suits him.* I never walk away from him without a smile on my face. Could it be that he let me stay with him for a month or that when I called him crying about something not so tragic he came running? I just know there is nothing that will keep me away from him as a friend. Unless it is going out at midnight and having a beer, I am no night owl anymore.
One thing that was common during this day; SLOWLY. I did everything within a pace that wasn't rushed. I never tried to out bike a bus or pass another biker, or tried to get someplace before someone else. When I arrived I let them know. And the day just flowed. Like each day of my life should. Without a set schedule but with a flowing movement like that of a river. Flowing in and out of cracks and crevices of life.
What a grand day!
a little out of focus in the distance, but up close should always be your main attention. (taken in Rome, April 2008)
a presto amici!!
Back to Florence
My month at home is over. It was a great time full of family, friends and writing. Thanks to the Gods that created fast speed
internet. Unfortunately, I was able to recharge my body and my mind. I was able to push myself to find a schedule to write more. I was writing almost every morning starting
around 5:30am. I was able to focus with the HUGE cup of coffee my mom would bring me before ...
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ĊӰ&Ӱ&
How grand is that?
<< MORE >>
Today I posted over on NileGuide Florence, Italian Language Tips: Lesson 2. Learn on to introduce yourself with some simple phrases.
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Challenges: Travel Tips on Renting a Car in Costa Rica
Andi,
from My Beautiful Adventures, has come back again this month to inform us on how to rent a car in Costa Rica.
Welcome Andi!!!
One of my favorite ways to really see a country is ...
<< MORE >>New Pieces on Nile Guide
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Challenges--A World Wide Web of Challenges for Travelers to Calabria
By: Cherrye Moore
“Tell me something about a travel challenge,“Katie said.
“It can be anything … from speaking the language to renting a car, to ordering food to hiking … anything!”
So, I thought about it.
A travel challenge in Calabria?
Hmmm … and I can only choose one?
... << MORE >>Italian Language Tips
traditional kiss hello in Italy
How else do you introduce yourself in Italian?
What other phrases do you use?
Challenges--Experiencing Semana Santa in La Antigua, Guatemala
This will be a treat for all you vagabonds. Andi from My Beautiful Adventures traveled to La Antigua, Guatemala to conquer one of her travel goals. Here she is....
Lately I have been thinking a lot about travel goals that I have and have yet to
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Working Hard
Have been writing a whole lot in Chicago with all this fast speed internet. Here are my posts for Nile Guide Florence for August:
Top 5 Places You've Never Heard of in Florence
Top 5 Places You've Never Heard of in Florence
Palazzo Antinori
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Challenges- How I get the most out of my travel?
Once again here is a travel challenge written by Cecil from Travel Feeder.
<< MORE >>
Travel Challenges- How I get the most out of my travel?
One of the most challenging part of my travel is to plan my travel itinerary in order to get maximum satisfaction out of my limited traveling ...
Challenges--To see or Not to see at all
Bringing the Challenges back to my blog, please welcome Laura from Ciao Amalfi! Ciao Amalfi!!!
Maybe it’s my Type A, list making personality, but when I travel to a new destination I want to see and do everything. When I was younger I
would wear myself out while travelling, coming home with sore feet and thousands of photos. I thought that was how travelling worked, until one ...
<< MORE >>
Times are a-changing
This is my first post I have written myself since I can't remember when.
Things are really chaotic in my life at the moment. From having the slowest internet connection in Florence to trying to take on way to much, I am currently sitting in my family room outside Chicago with my family. Knowing there is a million things going on in my family's life here in Chicago, I have been trying to help out as much as I can.
My life in Florence is challenging. I am living by my own means, simply and comfortably.
I will update more of my life as soon as I can. Thanks to the people that are still reading. I promise to get more interesting as soon as possible.
Just trying to go with the flow, when a challenge gets in the way, I will find another way.
a presto amici
Summertime: Staying Cool in Catanzaro
by Cherrye from My Bella Vita
A couple of summers ago, Calabria recorded record highs-temps that hung around 111°F for more than a week. It was hot. It was sweaty.It was brutal.
Since that summer,temps have been somewhat cooler and luckily for us here in Calabria’s capitalcity-Catanzaro, the “City of Three V’s”-that infamous Ionian wind keeps it breezy. Still, southern Italy’s mezzogiorno sun does not overlook this part of bellaCalabria so as we find ourselves deep in the midst of summer there are a ...
<< MORE >>Summertime: Keeping cool with some brews in Malaysia
Summertime, how do you keep cool? Cecil from Travel Feeder will regale us with his favorite thing that keeps
him cool during the balming temps of Malaysia.
Welcome Cecil!!!
It's again Summertime now! While people in the European countries with temperate and Mediterranean climate are facing hot sun ... << MORE >>
Welcome Cecil!!!
Beer – My best friend in Summer
It's again Summertime now! While people in the European countries with temperate and Mediterranean climate are facing hot sun ... << MORE >>
Grand Villa Hotels in Florence, Italy
Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and the Tuscan capital hasthousands of tourists flocking to the city every single day. There is a sea ofmuseums and galleries overflowing with antiquated and renaissance artworks. Florence is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic stroll while taking in the historicfoundations that were originally laid down by Dante and Boccaccio. At the endof a culturally enriching day, what better to return back to accommodationreflecting the feel of this ...
<< MORE >>Summertime: Staying Cool on the Amalfi Coast
Summertime has arrived in Italy, the scorching heat is making it difficult to venture out into the city. My dear friend Laura from Ciao Amalfi will tell us how she keeps cool along the Amalfi coast.
Please welcome Laura!
katerinafiore
Katie fell in love with Italy from her first visit in 2002. She now calls it home, writing and capturing the culture of the enchanting city of Florence. Whether its checking out the hottest wine bar, sipping espresso at the local bar or riding her bike through the streets of Florence, Katie is always exploring the ancient cobblestones of Florence, one step at a time.
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